Question As e'er beneath a waning moon was haunted

Sunday 2nd October, evening, Poe Cottage, Bianca and Morgana's room.

No idea how the unexpected events of their teammates is going to affect them, oh boy. Laura, Bianca, and Morgana, none of them had suspected Cally and Erica were changelings. Morgana brings up a good point, what is to keep Jack from digging into the rest of the team's social history and outing them as well? Hehe, I would like to see Jack trying to chase Morgana's fake history and getting infuriated the further he dug.

"The fake background and stuff was built for AEGIS by GCHQ, in case any of the cult who kidnapped me found out about me and tried to trace down it. Apparently it leads to some very nasty traps."

Ooo, didn't know about the nasty traps. Kurenai checks all their backgrounds, shoot, I would ask her to check all the changelings at Whateley just to be on the safe side. Who else might Jack have stumbled upon while digging into Cally's history?

Sunday 2nd October, Evening, Poe Cottage

Michelle Brown finding Hikaru, her former RA, outside her new dorm room in Poe. Hhm, still has times reserved in Melville facilities in her name, nice to know Michelle is still welcome at Melville, she needs that right now. If someone isn't nice to Michelle I pity them, having to deal with Mrs. Horton, the Poe RAs and Hikaru. *sigh* Just because they are looking out for Tia, Hikaru and other changelings don't mean the Poesies wish them transferred to the dorm. I wonder where Hikaru will go with this petition.

Monday 3rd October, 7.15am, Poe Showers

Morgana having morning cheerfulness once again, hehehe. Chessa doesn't think it's nature, Bianca has no idea how long it will last, and Morgana is singing in Welsh, annoying Laura that she is singing well. I like seeing Morgana happy, I hope it lasts a while longer at least.

Monday 3rd October, breakfast, Crystal Hall

Some of the girls still giving Cally grief, a lot of them supportive with some good, some bad, better than I expected with the fallout. Bianca at least gets them thinking about security, with how some students will react it is a good idea. And warding by Bianca and Morgana, they deserve to feel safe in their own room.

*facepalms* Laura, Morgana would have spoken up if she wanted to sing in a band. Putting a friend who is shy about something on the spot, good grief. And Morgana states she is shy, don't push it with her or it might cause an issue. Just the idea of going in front of people likely to make Morgana go dragon, yikes.

Magic theory class now, Bianca and Morgana early and talking about the situation with Cally and Erica's room. So Morgana is going to do the wards by herself, wonder what could happen. Smokey sleeping on the table gives Morgana an idea how Cally and Erica can know when their wards have been breached, I wonder what.

Lunchtime at the Crystal Hall, Laura, Bianca, and Morgana getting odd glances from a number of students, uh oh. Hermione calling Cally a sexual pervert, ugh, that girl needs a hard lesson and soon. Nice comeback by Morgana, got Hermione so flustered she couldn't think up a good one herself.

Great..., sounds like everyone in MMM is being harshed due to Cally being outed. Laura at least lightens the mood and gets Cally distracted, that bunny incident will never leave Morgana alone. Bwahaha, love the back and forth between Laura and Morgana.

Laura huffed. "I do not blow up stuff, I...er...ballistically disassemble things!"

Great, she doesn't need the new Wondercute after her as well, Morgana just can't catch a break.

Monday, 4pm after magic class.

Morgana has to talk to Grimes, oh boy. Morgana having to recap the whole tale to Grimes, yet she has no idea who caused the shock she felt. Darn, Grimes thinks someone caused it but with no witnesses...

So the exercises to help Morgana improve her control of her fire connection hasn't been working, I wonder if she needs different exercises.

"Hmm. Well, Morgana, I'm happy to see that your essence exercise is going well; indeed you have made considerable progress during the month. Now take a minute, and then I want you to do the exercise we gave you for more smoothly integrating and controlling your fire essence."

So her essence control exercises are going well, good to hear.

I could feel the energy, but it was as if something was interfering with it inside me, not allowing me to control it but instead sending it running through me in spastic little jerks. I just kept doing my exercise, assuming that this effect was me not controlling it properly.

Sounds like some external force is interfering in her control over the fire essence, but what?

"Yes, I see. There is definitely something odd going on here. You start off well, then something seems to be twisting the energy, and from then on the exercise isn't doing anything useful."

At least we know something odd is going on now.

"I think we need to look into this more carefully, Morgana. The exercise should have led to improvements, you are doing it correctly. I know your particular situation is fairly unusual, and we don't have much experience in your particular type of issues. So I am going to try and evaluate your specific problems more deeply, so we can pin down what exactly is the cause. Then we can work out a system that will lead to improvement for you." She gave me a serious look before continuing. "In the meantime, please try and avoid casting magic in public if possible; if this loss of control happens again it might not be a bunny."

What if the case isn't a what, but a who?

She hadn't wanted to worry Morgana, but what she'd see had made her much less optimistic than she'd been before they started. Worryingly, Morgana's control had worsened, despite practicing as she'd been told, and she couldn't work out why. What she needed was more information, and possibly different types of information.

Morgana being so happy, she is having time with Thulia more, could this be the source of her worsening control?

6 PM now, at Laura's lab, Morgana having to stop to let her heart-rate come down, PTSD can take a lifetime to recover from, months and you will still react to reminders of it easily. Earplugs color-coded for each ear they go in and a magnet to pull them out easily, Laura does good work.

"OK, as we agreed they will filter out the sort of odd frequencies sirens use, as well as having a level filter for very loud noises. But then I thought, you really need to wear them all the time, because you won't have time to put them in if someone attacks you. Now that isn't an issue for hearing people, but you can't use earbuds at the same time, so I added bluetooth to them. So you can listen to music and stuff on them. Since I was doing that, I added some software so you can set them to an encrypted channel if you want to."

Boy, Laura adds all the bells and whistles when she makes something.

Oh man, I would pay good money for earplugs like these. *winces as Laura says one of the phrases you should never say* 140 decibels, ouch. Over 90 db a bit of distortion and at max only a painful hum, shoot, I want a pair of my own even more now. Now I can't wait for Chained Melody to pull something again, hehe.

Tuesday morning, Mr. Mazarin's Office

Mrs. Horton trying to get the new headmaster to see reason about Tia being put back in Poe.

“The computer records! The old hard files in my possession, not the new ones since... the incident, those show Miss Del Bosque assigned to Poe! Where her friends are, and where we are!”

And it is about Tia's health, according to Mazarin the health of more than one student.

“Never mind, I should not have gone into depth there. I'll tell you what, Mrs. Horton – I'll make a deal with you. Next week, I will schedule a hearing. You bring your arguments, bring your rules and precedent... and if you sway me then, I'll sign the transfer papers myself. But Melville cottage will have the chance to argue their case. Is that acceptable to you?”

Okay, why am I nervous when Mazarin smiles?

Lunchtime, outside the Crystal Hall, Gravedigger checking out his hair in a mirror. Amadeus is a ghost which he can see, please let it not be a famous one. Gravedigger can control ghosts, that is just so wrong.

The sight of her brought a scowl to his face. The boy-that-had-been had been turned into a beautiful girl, almost as it were by accident, and then she went and hid that from everyone as if she were ashamed of being a girl!

Oh crud, I don't like the way he is thinking about Cally. And thinking Morgana is a demoness and lying about it, really don't like Gravedigger right now.

He thought more on that as he finished his food. Now a demon had powers he'd be happy to trade well, anything for. If she was actually a demoness.

With what he thought about Cally and this, I fear he might try a bodyswap spell on Morgana now.

Now after Calculus class with Timothy King watching Morgana and perving out on her, ugh. I didn't like him when he made the bet involving Morgana, he is just digging himself in deeper now. Ugh, and he is one of those who think Cally is a sex-shifting pervert. Calling Inkblood for a background check on Morgana, Timothy just screwed up big time. And he is a senior from the sounds of it, so would get in trouble for anything which happens with a girl under 16.

Wednesday 5th October, Magic Lab

What is Ms. Grimes up to with bringing up the runes from weeks ago?

"For those of you who were paying attention earlier in the term, you will remember I told you there are many different ways of casting spells, and that we would be teaching you some simple cantrips like these. Today I'm going to show you one of the alternate ways of casting, and over the next few weeks we will be learning some others. Now I don't expect all of you to be equally good with all of the methods, but later on you will settle on a number of techniques that work best for you, and this is the start of identifying them."

Ah, makes senses, no two individuals would be alike in how they deal with magic. Oh boy, a way of casting which Bianca can't do, spoken magic doesn't work for her or on her.

If you carry them around, and are involved in any sort of action off the campus that involves the authorities, they will examine and take note of what you have on you.

Now while there are variations depending on the local laws, magical spells fall into three main groups. Purely defensive spells, such as a shield, are considered permissible. Second are spells which are not purely defensive to your person, but are non-damaging and non-lethal, such as a snare spell. These are usually acceptable, although if the authorities are in a mind to prosecute you, they can use them against you. Third is spells which really only have an offensive use - it's quite tricky to persuade the police you are carrying a defensive fireball, and having such a slip on you could if they wished be construed as carrying a concealed weapon."

Well, we know there are laws pertaining to magic, was wondering about magical spell cards and how it works with the law myself, nice to have an answer. That last suggestion complicates things for Bianca though.

Morgana doing better than Bianca or AJ, interesting.

Of course, what I hadn't told them was that I had an advantage at casting a spell by 'drawing' it in the air. As with my drawing spell diagrams, I could see, faintly, a purple line of the magic I was using to prepare the spell. Only part of it, it faded very quickly, so I couldn't see the complete pattern, but it was a great help.

Poor Bianca, not able to follow the pattern in her mind as easily, guess it might be another limitation of the nature of her inheritance.

White Snake coming over to chat with Bianca and Morgana, he wants to know stuff about Hikaru, wants to get to know her better, oh bother, the boy has a crush. In Poe yet interested in Hikaru, so no messing with him. Ask Tia and Laura about Hikaru, wonder how that is going to go.

Dickinson cottage now at 5 pm, Morgana going to check up on Cally and Erica, only to be blocked by a frowning girl who asks why she is there. At least Morgana keeps her cool and explains who she is, Mrs. Plimsol informed as Milena takes Morgana up to Cally and Erica's room.

Secret team stuff, good to see Milena doesn't dig any further.

"Enter freely and of your own will."

Erica teasing Morgana, Cally teasing Erica about it, bwahaha. Ifor, a cute red plushie dragon, linked to the wards so his eyes glow green when they are broken, nice. 6 spell slips to ward the room and hiding them as much as possible, nice spread with only one visible on the wall.

"Well, yes and no. It's easiest to ward an area that has a topological correspondence to the spell. So Bianca's single slip creates a sphere. Since your room is a rectangle, one on each wall works well. I could have used four, that defines a triangular space, but it would have left gaps. Or I could have just put one in the middle, but it wouldn't be as powerful."

Very interesting.

That was quick, impressive.

I shook my head at Erica. "Well, not physical ones, or anyone coming in would break it. But it should stop magic or powers from seeing or hearing what you're up to in here." I held up my hand before the obvious question. "And yes, you can hear people knock on the door." I grinned briefly. "We made that mistake the first time Bianca put wards on our room, not anymore."

Repower on each new moon and full moon, nice, certainly feels magical.

I rolled my eyes at her. "What, you'd prefer if there was smoke and lightning and lots of fire? In your bedroom?" I raised my arms up in an ominous and perfectly useless gesture. "Pay no attention to the dragon behind the curtain..."

Wizard of Oz reference, nice.

Evening at Poe cottage, Morgana going to the library to research some stuff and do homework. Back at Poe and text from Mrs. Horton, a package delivered, wonder what it is. A box with orange and purple stripes, unreadable return address, I wonder... Federal Hexpress, I think she got a package from Thulia, this is going to be good.

It was beautiful, a shallow bowl about a foot across. It seemed to be made of obsidian, with complicated gold-inlaid runes running all around the outside.

A sheaf of notes came with it, is it a new way to contact Thulia?

"Well - yeah, I can read them, but it's like maths - just because I can read the symbols doesn't mean I always know what it does right away, you know? And these are pretty complicated."

Modified scrying bowl, interesting.

I grinned at her sarcastic tone. "Well, the idea is its part of a matched pair, they are entangled at a quantum level, apparently. The wards around Whateley mean you can't do the usual scrying or communication through them without setting off all sorts of alarms. By using a matched set, and only using them for communicating, they'll only use a trickle of power and can slip under the radar, as it were."

I wonder if Thulia will have answers for why Morgana is having trouble controlling her fire essence while in dragon form. iBowl, bwahaha. Midnight there time best for contacting Thulia, figures.

Thursday 6th October, late afternoon.

Bianca hit by a piece of exploding robot at lunchtime, she has healed from it but why do I have the feeling it wasn't an accident. Kunzite and Kyanite, I wonder what the Whateley store doesn't have stocked. Mercury/Gold amalgam paint, whoa, they have stuff like that, a shopping spree in this store could bankrupt even a rich kid. Dang, low on money now for the rest of the month, poor Morgana.

Good that she found their lab empty, though I doubt Ms. Grimes won't find out about this somehow.

I had done some reading up first, in particular on how to prepare to do this sort of thing, and if I got anything wrong, I'd just have to buy more supplies and try again.

Talk about expensive mistakes, if they happen. Nice cloth and frame, geometry equipment early in the term, guess drawing those things for magic requires precision. Interesting read of all the steps and detail required to prepare, love learning how much goes into magical rituals.

In London, England, Nephandus meeting with the Major, giving a go on the operation, oh boy. Evac on Tuesday night and extraction, I knew Nephandus would be bad news once he grows up. I'm trying to recall what the operation is about, guessing it is about 'reacquiring' Morgana.

Friday 7th October, after classes

An appointment with Caitlin Bardue, don't tell me she knows what Morgana is up to already. One of the teacher's magic lab rooms, hmm.

I looked around with a fair amount of suspicion as I did as instructed. This lab looked nothing like ours. It did have some of the same sort of circles and inscriptions, but it was also half full of metalworking stuff, including what looked like a full sized forge. Which was different.

Caitlin's magic lab room obviously. So Grimes called in Caitlin to help with Morgana weird issues with her fire powers, goodie. Oh boy, having Morgana strip naked for testing her fire, we know why Caitlin was brought in.

The girl nodded, first doing a basic light cantrip, then a more complicated darkness one. She could see the whirlpool of the girls essence pool responding to her, but it looked pretty normal. A few more eddies and disturbances that usual, but she hadn't been training long, and there didn't seem to be anything really out of the ordinary. Caitlin nodded, gesturing to her to change. Morgana shifted into her 'dragon' form, and started through the exercises again. This time, there was a considerable difference.

Caitlin had already seen the swirl of essence grow stronger, as the girl drew down more fire energy, taking it into herself. That looked fine, and given the details Grimes had sent her on the kid's powers, working as expected. However she noted with a frown that as she did, there was something - she would almost have called it a separate secondary eddy - that strengthened as fire energy flowed into the girl. This time, when she tried to cast a simple spell, the effects were more interesting. Her light spell grew, turning the red of a fire, as it pulled in a lot more energy than it should have done. What was most interesting to Caitlin was that the disruption seemed to have far more to do with that secondary eddy than anything else.

The separate secondary eddy, could that be coming from Thulia? And it gets stronger the more times Morgana tries, yikes.

"There were definitely some inconsistencies, Morgana. I'm not sure what they mean yet, I need to make some notes and consult with Grimes. There is something odd going on, but don't worry, we'll sort it out and get you working properly. Now run along and please stay clear of the bunnies!"

No use worrying Morgana until they know more, I guess. Ouch, Morgana is going to be a lab rat for a while to figure all of this out.

Poe Cottage, just before midnight now. Bianca asleep and Morgana casting a protective circle around herself, interesting secondary purpose.

This was different from the written magic I'd been practicing for class - instead of drawing a glyph and putting energy in to activate a spell, usually immediately, this was slowly and careful energising a complex set of pre-prepared spells. I had to do each one carefully and in a particular order.

Figures a few drops of blood are needed. Now that is an awesome spell for communication.

She nodded. "True, but it's a real pain trying to get a decent connection from here to you. Do you any idea how hard it is to get your phone people to handle an interdimensional account? And these bowls have another advantage - they can't be overheard."

I don't even want to think of how much the charges for calling from another dimension would be. Morgana telling Thulia about Whateley and the kind of things that had gone one since she arrived, that should take a while. Asleep at 2 am and a happy dragon, she is going to be even more happy in the mornings now, isn't she?

"Hi, Bianca. I just got a package from Thulia." I pointed at the bowl on my desk, and Bianca gave it a look over.

"Wow, it's really lovely, isn't it! What does it do?"

I blinked at her. "You can't read the runes?"

"Well - yeah, I can read them, but it's like maths - just because I can read the symbols doesn't mean I always know what it does right away, you know? And these are pretty complicated."

Bianca said "maths."

Tuesday morning, Mr. Mazarin's Office



Alright, so I've read the files – what seems to be the problem, Mrs. Horton?” The tall, dignified gentleman asked politely.

“I'm not having any of that, Mr. Mazarin. You know very well what the problem is.”

“State it for the record?” Mazarin replied, pointing at the microphone placed in plain sight on the desk.

“Lucretia Del Bosque. She should be in Poe cottage.

“Her records clearly state an assignment to Melville cottage.”

“The computer records! The old hard files in my possession, not the new ones since... the incident, those show Miss Del Bosque assigned to Poe! Where her friends are, and where we are!”

“An upraised voice isn't needed for the recording, Mrs. Horton,” Mazarin chided gently.

“...Perhaps.”

“Lucretia Del Bosque is a unique form of student; one with powerful backers in the form of a rich former student and a somewhat powerful and influential celebrity. The notations on the old file you bring up state both requested Miss Del Bosque be placed in Melville, for various reasons.”

Mrs. Hortons mouth tightened. “Yes, I read those. But comments made by those not in the know shouldn't be considered; we are discussing a student's mental health here.”

“The health of more than one student.” Mazarin stated.

“Pardon?”

“Never mind, I should not have gone into depth there. I'll tell you what, Mrs. Horton – I'll make a deal with you. Next week, I will schedule a hearing. You bring your arguments, bring your rules and precedent... and if you sway me then, I'll sign the transfer papers myself. But Melville cottage will have the chance to argue their case. Is that acceptable to you?”

Mrs. Horton was silent for a moment. “Just what are you planning?” She finally asked.

Mr. Mazarin smiled.

www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43991/kubla-khan

Next line, being:

"By woman wailing for her demon-lover!"

Now, only if Mrs. Horton gave info to the Magic Teachers...

That rescue mission stuff... I wonder how that'll connect to the Whateley plot...

Also, customizing away irritating bits of human physical physiology... I bet she can only get preggers when she wants to?? Maybe some marriage spell or something, *shrugs*

Devises, being crazy-tech, worries about Reality / Luck Warpy effects... Oof.

Hmm... AJ's got a crush, who we dunno... Could be lying about not being in the same class as his crush... But a Spy Kids candidate... I think we've seen them all, but I'm not sure who is who...

Reinforce and Toison stuff... Those rumors about their love life is new...

ask fey > ask Fey

been nice [overspaced]

Malady wrote: Hmm... AJ's got a crush, who we dunno... Could be lying about not being in the same class as his crush... But a Spy Kids candidate... I think we've seen them all, but I'm not sure who is who...

Isn't it cute when the pet humans fall in love?

Malady wrote: Reinforce and Toison stuff... Those rumors about their love life is new...

IIRC, the assumptions usually made about shifter sexuality would challenge DeviantArt to keep up with.

Mr. Mazarin smiled, showing impeccable teeth. “I'm afraid that person is no longer with us... or indeed, with any academic institution, for the rest of their lives.”

Once again, we see that Lawful Evil gets things Done.

Sunday 9th October, 10am, outside Crystal Hall

Morgana chatting with Adam as they wait for Toison to join them, Morgana wishing to pick her brain about stuff, hhm.

"No, not really, but there are some that would have." He scowled down at the table. "Why does it matter so much what sex someone was, if it's now different?"

If only more people were as enlightened as Adam on such matters. And then he shows he is a bit naive on such matters, being honest about such things isn't always safe nor would it have ensured it was a lot less of a problem if she had been honest from the start about her changeling status.

Heh, figures Adam and Dawn are getting up to things didn't know they went that far though. Dawn a healer and mage, forgot she was a healer. And nothing is ever simple when it comes to magic and healing, it seems. Dr. Tennant teaching them healing stuff, wonder how advanced they get.

Now 11 pm at Poe Cottage in Morgana and Bianca's room. Bianca meeting Thulia, this will be interesting. And the old saying applies, "It isn't paranoia if they are actually out to get you." Trust, but confirm that what you told will actually work, smart move, Morgana. Hehe, love how Bianca teases about how enamored with Thulia Morgana is, but doesn't say if Morgana talks in her sleep or not.

Good to see Morgana realizes Bianca doesn't have a reason to offer Thulia the same trust she does, some would take it as an insult to their beloved. Bianca and Thulia seeing and hearing each other for the first time, adorable. Oh crud, nice chat going and Mrs. Horton shows up and just unlocks the door to come in. We need to have a talk, not what you want to hear. The secret is out, how Mrs. Horton is reasonable.

Mrs. Horton had surprised me - I knew she was a mage after that spell she'd cast on everyone when we arrived at the cottage, but her sharp and incisive questions showed that she was a mage of considerable experience and skill.

That much is obvious just from reading the stories and how she has handled other Wiz-type students in the past, especially Nikki. Yay! And Mrs. Horton shows her wisdom once again, letting Morgana keep the bowl to use.

"First, that you don't try and contact your, mm, friend without using the bowl. Second, that you keep using a personal protective charm. The ones you are wearing will stop you being controlled, and in any case I don't think that would be easy with the minimal power the bowl uses anyway. And third, you have classes and I don't want you staying up late every night talking. I want you to limit your talks to three days a week, a maximum of one hour." She gave Bianca a smile. "And that will mean less chance of you disturbing your roommate as well."

And very reasonable conditions as well. The muttered comment, hehe, a nice callout to Sara. And Morgana doesn't think someone would do that, even at Whateley, boy is she in for surprises in the future.

Monday 10th October, morning, Elyzia Grimes' Office

Caitlin there and discussing a problem student, of course, it is about Morgana and how she interacts with fire energy and her own essence. Caitlin didn't recognize it, but it is something serious, guess Morgana is a mystery to solve still. Medical test with Ophelia, Fey check her out to see if Sidhe magic can discover anything new, and Kayda to check for Class X stuff, I hope it isn't the last one.

At Mazarin's Office before lunch, Mrs. Horton is maneuvering towards it past all the students with most from Melville Cottage there. Tiff Lock, and Hikarua side by side with Tia, freshmen RA glaring at Mrs. Horton, good grief. Miss Bellamy there as well, this is starting to look like Mazarin set Mrs. Horton up to fail, imo. A petition, yup, a setup.

“A petition to keep Melville students in Melville cottage, and to refuse all further efforts by any other cottage to take a student assigned to Melville unless the student is willing to leave.”

Ugh, don't have all the facts and they are overreacting. And Tia says she needs the help and support but doesn't need to be in Poe to get it, *sigh*

Miss Del Bosque took a breath, straightened up even more, and continued. “And those problems you mentioned earlier? They are well known by the student body at this point. My insanity is already known and public; any problems that come about as a result of that are ones I don't want to leave to others, and any students who come to me because of those problems, students who may not have spoken up before, well, I can do a lot of good for them, right where I'm at. I thought you deserved to hear it from me, in person: Headmaster, Mrs. Horton, I'd like to stay in Melville.”

Tia sure has a mature attitude about all this, she has changed since we first met her.

And Mr. Mazarin says he accepts the petition and Tia can stay in Melville. Tiff Lock saying they won, she needs to learn not to gloat.

“I suspected,” was his prompt reply. “I had taken the liberty of checking into the situation and individuals involved a bit, and I must say that if charisma were a superpower young Tia would be another Champion. She has a way about her that draws a person in.”

Always suspected that about Tia. Sure that Mazarin is talking about the Amazons, that is attention no one needs. And someone took money from Tia's sponsors to place her in Melville, all to see her groomed as a leader and face in the public eye, good grief. After what she has been through they were planning out her future without her say.

“Who took the money to change the paperwork?” Mr. Mazarin qualified. Mrs. Horton nodded.

Mr. Mazarin smiled, showing impeccable teeth. “I'm afraid that person is no longer with us... or indeed, with any academic institution, for the rest of their lives.”

Good indeed, money has too much influence as it is.

Late evening in Morgana and Bianca's room and Bianca comes trudging back in at 9pm from setting up stuff in her new lab. Shelves and stuff to hold things, and is going to tell Morgana where it is, always good to have a trusted friend know about a place you might be. A chair to read and relax in private, that would be very nice.

"Hey, no problem. Although you could carry it yourself if you worked out more."

That got me a pillow in the face. OK, I probably deserved that.

Hehehe, I love how these two interact.

Tuesday 11th October, 8am, Doyle Medical Centre.

Medical exams, no one likes them no matter how nice the doctor is. An hour in a medical gown, ack! No eating before the exam, now that is torture for someone with her appetite. Pee sample, I would rather get blood drawn. And a large blood sample as well, medical science may help us but man is it a pain at times. 10 minutes for scans, I've been there, always so hard to stay still the whole time.

Magical scans by Dr. Tennant, very interesting how she does them, plus why all the focus on her head and abdomen? Areas of the most interest due to what is going on with Morgana, hhm. How to get Morgana to blush bright crimson, ask if she is a virgin. And the other questions, Morgana learning the types of things girls have to talk to their doctors about already.

Ophelia Tennant talking to Elyzia Grimes, medically Morgana seems normal, that is good news.

"Oh, just interesting. I think. I couldn't spot anything at all in the brain scans that would indicate any anomalous behaviour. I did spot some magical oddities, that seem to correspond to her horns, which were fascinating. It seems her horns have a definite tie in to her power in some way, they aren't just ornamental. Remember when we did her power testing, there was a difference in the essence flows in her different forms? At the time I thought it was just the form shift, but it looks like there's more to it than that."

Whoa, that is a big detail about her horns. Just how do they affect her magic in each form?

*eyes bug out* Morgana reproductive system stable in a non-menstrual state, seems to be a normal condition for her. Don't tell any of the other girls on campus! No hymen or even a vestigial structure, just what is going on with Morgana? So Thulia might have designed Morgana's body to not have those inconvenient things, very interesting.

"I'm afraid I simply have no idea. Whatever is going on, it doesn't seem to have a physical connection. Magically... well, she'd a pretty unique case, and yes, I agree with Caitlin, there is something there that doesn't look right, but whatever it is it's so tightly bound I have no idea what's causing it. I was actually hoping she was pregnant; it would have been a much simpler explanation. The only thing I can think of is a better scan, maybe that would show us what's going on. Do you think we can get Fey to do one for us? Maybe Sidhe magic will show something I missed."

Boy, figuring out what is up with Morgana's magic seems like a full-time project right now.

Tuesday 11th October, 0200 (local time), somewhere over Turkmenistan

Two helicopters flying around, so updated only their exteriors are the same and don't attract attention in this part of the world. Mercenaries who don't wish to be spotted, uh oh. Bobby Cholrane, Jimmy, and Sergeant Kolchin, all checking their gear as the close in on their target zone. They have me worried for some reason.

Whoa, stealth systems like that on their helicopters. Closing in on a target base and they have a troop carrier, this feels like an invasion or covert strike which could trigger diplomatic issues. 'Officially non-existent' base, this just gets worse and worse. Major Smith examining the base through a surveillance scope, a satellite uplink antenna seems to be their only means of communication.

No witnesses, no survivors, and no report of what had happened here; at least until the extraction team was safely hidden in another country.

Okay, these mercenaries are seeming more and more like monsters. And knowing their targets are asleep, ugh.

A sniper to take out the one watchman before he can sound the alarm, the lead team kills the other man on the security team. Sweeping out like this, how long have these mercenaries been in the business?

Bobby outside the kitchen and knows there are two hostiles inside, both disoriented by flash-bangs and shot dead. Headshots to make sure they are dead. Seems all hostiles have been taken out, they are there to rescue two hostages, okay, so the mercenaries might not be the bad guys in all this. Jump-up terrorists, who hired the mercenaries to deal with them and rescue the hostages?

4 downstairs and two could be their targets, have to be careful not to kill the hostages. Stunner projectile for tazer load after hitting with flash-bangs, nice way to take them alive. Kolchin interrogating one of the men, the other cuffed by Bobby, these guys are good. Hostages identified, the men willing to crawl to get out of there if needed. And the last two terrorists are executed. And have to deal with the recordings there before they leave, just what did they put these two men through?

Dang, burned and blow up all the buildings, EMP mine to ensure the recordings are toast as well. Sleeping pills for the hostages so they know little about who rescued them, just who are these guys? Keeping the hostages drugged to deliver two sick men on airlift, the Major will do all the paperwork. What does who hired them need these two men for?

Wednesday 12th October, 10am (local time), Baku

All this for the operation Nephandus planned and Major Smith is reporting in. All this for a client in London which hired Nephandus, I hope those two ex-hostages are going to be okay.

"As promised, the down payment for mission expenses is in your companies account in Karedonia. Details are here. The rest will be paid once we have the men safely in London. There are also details of what to do with the equipment, I expect it to be out of here in a few days. Apart from the men accompanying our two new guests, the rest of your team will fly back on various commercial flights over the next few days. Any questions?"

All this to keep their identities and Nephandus' identity secret, is this how they have remained alive and in business so long, erase all evidence of their involvement each time?

Now at Whateley in Magic Theory class in the morning, as Morgana and Bianca sit down AJ ask if they can help him with something. Advice about a girl,ooo. Aww, he wants to get to know the girl without seeming like a stalker, AJ is so cute. Uh oh, the girl is interested in joining the Spy Kids, poor AJ. Huh, what is in the large box Ms. Grimes if fiddling with?

Smokey dive-bombing things near the quad, attacking something which they can't see which is invisible.

Bianca snickered. Yeah, she'd made the connection already. "He's hunting bunny wabbits!"

Those poor invisible rabbits better learn to hide better. And Smokey knows what he's been playing with, silly dragon.

Covering a different topic for a week or two, puts down a pendant, something that looks like a classic magic wand, and a mirror on her desk, this is going to be interesting.

"These are example of some of the tools we will be looking at during the year. While just about anything can be made into a magic item, and tasked to pretty much any purpose, they tend to fall into a number of functional groupings. For example, this pendant" - she held up a remarkably mundane silvery-looking piece of jewellery - "is a common form for a protective spell. Would someone like to explain why this is a common form for holding such a spell?"

White Snake gives the perfect answer, can see why AJ has a crush on her.

"While there are conventions for the form items take, these are only conventions - you can create a tool in any form you wish - but the classic forms are normally the most practical and easiest to use. While I could, for example, make an earring to cast lightning bolts, it would be more difficult to aim than, say, a wand."

Tools can come in any form you wish, wonder what other forms magic items have been made in. How to make and use a wand, interesting. Defensive items taught how to make in Spring Term, and answered why already.

"There's a good reason for this. In order to make them effective and efficient, they tend to be more complex, take longer to make, and normally require more expensive materials. Since making them now would involve a lot of failure and waste, we won't cover them until you have more training and experience. Wands are relatively quick and easy, and as they are often used in specialised tasks, all mages tend to have a collection of them for various uses."

Whoa, the difference between wands and defensive items seems a lot now.

Blank wands with a premade hole in both ends, to hold crystals, very interesting. And they don't have to be the same type of crystal, learning a lot about magic this story.

"No, Toison, they don't. In fact, as you learn more about wands, especially specialised ones, you will find the type of crystal will differ, and indeed more than two can be incorporated. However as we will be starting off with a general design, one intended to store some essence and help you in directing your spell more easily and efficiently, we will use a plain quartz crystal in both places. You can get these later from the store, take your blank and make sure you get ones that fit. Don't forget glue as well. Any more questions?"

Now I'm curious how many different wands Ms. Grimes has herself.

6pm at the private magic workshop, Morgana has worked out her wand already.

"Oh yes, very much a fake." I held up the half-finished wand "I picked this up in the store at lunchtime, I wanted to get it done as soon as possible. Just have to finish etching it, then give it a dye job and paint the symbols so it looks cool."

A fake wand with fake magic symbols burned in, just what does Morgana need that for? Rats, we have to learn about it when it happens, sounds like a prank with how Bianca reacts to being told though.

Thursday 13th October, evening, Crystal Hall

And more testing for Morgana with two new people.

"Yeah, two new people this time. Any more of this and I'll grow a white fur coat and whiskers to look like a proper lab rat!"

At least she has a good sense of humor about him. Ah, Kayda did the testing for Class X stuff and Morgana is completely clean, good.

And Fey isn't staff but is connected to the school, aww, thought she would be a teacher.

"Yeah." I thought about how to describe the woman called Fey without trying to make it sound too much like a soft porn movie. That wasn't easy. "Her name was Fey, and she was Sidhe. Apparently Grimes had asked her to check me out in case Sidhe magic would spot something the usual tests hadn't. She was...well, hot."

Heh, lucky these girls weren't here with Fey when she was a student, too distracted to get anything done. Aww, Fey still can't quite suppress her glamour. And we don't know what Fey learned about Morgana, wonder if it is important.

Friday 14th October, BMA

Vic called out again and thinks it because Tolman thinks he needs the practice. Tidestriker and Mouse, at least it is no powers for the first round, Vic might have a chance. A couple minutes for Mouse to take him down with an arm-lock, ouch. Powers allowed now and Mouse standing back, hitting a target who can shrink is tough, but Vic's control over the water ball has her trapped. Growing only makes things worse for Mouse, and he gets her into an arm-lock, nice moves by Vic.

And Vic has another tactic ready, launching a water ball and splitting it in two, then using one to cover his target's mouth and nose, brutal tactic but effective. Mouse gives him a dirty look after Vic wins, she needs to learn in BMA you have to think on your feet.

Oh crud, Morgana up against Crysis again and pulls out a holdout, so that is what the fake wand was for. No powers and Morgana takes him down in a minute or so, another arm-lock, more painful than needed just to get Crysis mad and losing his temper. Fake wand out of sleeve pocket and into her hand, aiming her wand and making gestures at Crysis, and the idiot yanks the wand out of her hand. And he used his TK to deliberately break it, lucky that isn't a real wand or he would be in trouble I think.

A spell to create a blinding flash of light, always handy in a fight. And kicked out of the fighting circle, nice job, Morgana. Tolman calls the bout, Morgana wins as Crysis is too injured to continue, but no serious injuries, yay! And a lot of people grinning, not just her friends, Crysis might just learn when you hurt others you are going to get hurt back.

Tolman knows it was a fake wand due to how Morgana acted, oh well. A few other possibilities, I wonder what Tolman has in mind. Well, you didn't break anything so Tolman lets you off with a warning to restrain yourself.

Saturday 15th October, afternoon, The Ranges

Laura made a prototype PFG, her first one, wonder how powerful it is. Morgana, Bianca, Erica, Tia, Bailey, and Vic all coming along to witness the event at The Ranges. Magic shields once Morgana gets the bugs worked out, wonder how long that will be. Range 7 with Caitlin, show how it works and make sure Laura doesn't blow herself up, how do you do that with a PFG?

The left side of the rather large room contained a pretty impressive control console, with what looked like arrangements for shields of some sort between it and the rest of the test area. There was also a bright red line between it and what looked like a number of sets of tracks crossing the floor.

Very interesting set-up.

"Good. Now the room knows you are here, and will track you until you leave. If anyone tries something supremely stupid like trying to wander into a fire zone, across that red line, it will shut the weapons down. The system will only work if you stay behind the console and its shields."

Now those are some strong safety measures right there already.

"Now, this range is a bit different from the others, in that it's here to test defensive items rather than the weapon itself. So we have a set of different weapons - kinetic as well as energy based, and they can be calibrated either to a specific performance, or to mimic a lot of the typical weapons you could run into such as those used by police or military. Now first, we need to set up a target to mount the PFG on."

And different dummy types based up if you are an exemplar or brick or regular physical wise, impressive. Transparent barriers between them and the testing area and a force field for when the test starts, this has to be the safest testing area I've read of.

Erica, no teasing Laura about being blue, she might just get some special paint to dye you blue and it not come off for a week. Good against low-energy kinetic impact so far, some of the heavier shots close to penetrating the field, that is still pretty strong. Replace the battery pack before testing an energy weapon, wonder if she can make a better battery pack for it. Handled a shot from a lightning gun, but then having Morgana use her flame breath on it, oh boy.

Handles it for a while, the flames turning more yellow as the field grew and taking a lot of power. Laura, you shouldn't have said she could put in more juice. Something takes control of Morgana's flame once more as it turned more white and a touch blue, overloading the field. Morgana can't stop her own flames from coming out and it is hurting her, whoever or whatever is causing this needs to be discovered soon. Clothes are toast, metal flooring starting to metal and Morgana screams and collapses, this is the worst ever.

Having to watch Morgana in that state until she lost consciousness, and the flames go out so Caitlin can reach her now that the force field is down. Burnout, no! Call to Doyle and she might flare up again as if Morgana didn't have enough troubles. Morgana's skin cold and clammy, this is very bad, I think we might have to let Thulia into Whateley to help Morgana.

When the girl had flared up, she'd seen something - the same odd eddy she'd noticed when she'd tested her, but more powerful and seeming to feed on the fire and take it over. That worried her.

When they linked her to the Fire Plane did she somehow have a tag-along, an elemental that is trapped and connected to Morgana who is forcing the flames to grow out of control to feed on them? Could that be what the odd eddy is?

At least Caitlin told Laura she didn't think it was her PFG that triggered the burnout, something else is seriously wrong. Bianca going to wait at Doyle so she can be the first to know when news about Morgana comes. And Caitlin blaming herself now, thinking if she had been more alert than Morgana wouldn't have burned out like that. *sigh* All the testing and still no idea what the odd eddy is, I hope they discover it soon for Morgana's sake.

Hmm... Essence is storable in blood...

Fake wands mixed with real wands would be useful, if wands were easier to make...

More specialized wands, due to their focus, are easier to make if the right materials are at hand?

So, Morgana or Bianca could make blood-powered wands and fake wands to use as holdouts, or something?

Bianca, 'cause she has the Translation Spell to be able to quickly discern her fakes from her reals.

Not sure if Morgana can do anything to make fake and reals easily differentiable to herself...

----

EDIT: Or, hire Twitch to make technological fake wands, in trade for genuine magical materials or prank wands or something.

So, how will the magi-medical staff learn about how easy it is to contact Thulia? Morgana just letting it slip? Ms. Horton, somehow supplying the info? Some other way?

Or, will they try summoning Thulia themselves, maybe somehow without involving Morgana, and Thulia would go... "You just wanted to talk? You could've used that bowl".

Likely, if they plan to summon Thulia, they use Morgana, who just volunteers the bowl.

... Or Thulia learns about Morgana's medical emergency, and arranges transport to Whateley somehow.

Somehow I doubt the average staff member is cultivating a World Tree planted on campus.

Saturday 15th October, afternoon, Mystic Arts staff meeting room.

Ms. Grimes, Dr. Bellows, and Bella brought in to discuss the issues Morgana has with her powers, and need to eliminate a psychological issue. I don't think what Caitlin sensed was psychological. Nothing from the tests by Fey or Kayda, Bellows doesn't think it is a mental issue, good man. And Bellows expected the opposite of what they've found out about Morgana, curiouser and curiouser.

At least he admits leaning on her powers is a temporary crutch, wonder what he will come up with for a long-term solution for Morgana and her PTSD. [quote=While she had a fair idea that some of the things Morgana had been getting up to would interest Elyzia, she didn't think it was anything affecting the topic, and Morgana already seemed to have enough problems without Elyzia getting on her case about trafficking with demons. In any case, from what she'd seen, and heard about, it had made Morgana considerably happier.[/quote] And this is why I like Mrs. Horton so much. And both Ophelia and Ms. Grimes got a notice about Morgana and called into Doyle. I hope she recovers well.

Late afternoon now and at Doyle.

"I've done a full post-burnout exam on her. At the moment she seems stable, I gave her a sedative and she's sleeping. That's the good part. The bad part is, it was a burnout, and not a good one."

How bad? All the testing to see why she has a problem and Morgana has a burn-out, could some outside force be trying to keep the source of her issues secret even if it could kill her?

Morgana awake in the hospital bed, not sure what happened to her yet. *eyes bug out at what she remembers* Finding out she had a bad burnout but came out of it OK, now discussing things with Ophelia and Ms. Grimes there, her day went from great to cruddy.

"Right. Well, we normally put a burnout into one of two categories, based on what we think caused them. That helps us estimate what the implications of it are."

More details on burnouts and the different types, interesting.

"Now, the first type is caused due to a manifestation not being complete. Most of them happen during or very close after manifestation and are often fatal. The probability of having one reduces as your power stabilises, and while they aren't unknown later on, the occurrence is far less common. Now I don't think yours falls into that group. As far as all our earlier testing shows, your manifestation is complete and stable, in fact, it was before you even arrived here."

Ouch, so that is what causes lethal burnouts before a mutant even finishes manifesting, brutal.

"While we don't have a full understanding of them, they seem to be caused by your power interacting with something - normally an external event of some sort - and that stress causing it to go out of control, or change, overload, or, to be honest, do a number of weird things we can't predict."

*eyes bug out* So can never be fully safe from the chance of a burnout, dang.

*blinks in confusion* If it wasn't something external and Morgana stable, then what the heck is going on? Something internal or something else, I still think what Caitlin saw was something from the plane of fire.

Rest overnight and see how she feels in the morning, guess at this point anything else would risk Morgana's health. A group together with Morgana there to go over everything, sometimes you just need a fresh set of eyes to look over something and find a detail you missed.

Sunday 16th October, 10 am, Magic Department meeting room

Oh good, Bianca brought her some clothes, those hospital gowns suck. Connect hospital gowns with Bad Things, I understand the feeling. Dr. Bellows taking her over the magic department, shoot, no way to get answers out of him. Ms. Grimes, Dr. Tennant, Dr. Bellows, Mrs. Horton, Caitlin, and Fey, eep, way to make the teen worried due to the size of the crowd.

"Morgana, we have managed to confirm that there is definitely something inside you, that seems to be connected to your magic and is probably the cause of your problems. Fey and I suspect it's something that was done to you, but there is a major issue with identifying it. Whatever is causing it, its connection is so intertwined with you that we can't separate it out."

I knew it! Dang, no cleans of Morgana before whatever it is was put inside her.

I tried to make sense of all that. "Uh, so what you want to do, it's sorta like subtracting part of a digital photo to see what's left?"

Fey nodded. "That's a pretty fair analogy. The problem is that whatever it is, it's too closely interwoven with your power and your magic for us to identify it, but if we could subtract a clean scan of you, it would give us a much better chance at identifying it.

There are a set of clean scans, where, how?

"Ma'am, before and after I manifested, Thulia did a complete set of scans of all sorts on me. Physical, Magical, and probably all sorts of things I don't know about. I'm not an expert, obviously, and I couldn't understand her methods, but judging by the tools she was using, they were more complicated that the ones you used on me, so I guess they'd have given at least as detailed a result? Couldn't you use those?"

I should have known, a scientist like Thulia wouldn't take thorough records before and after to note what has changed.

The looks between Grimes and Fey, hehe, if only Morgana knew Fey's history.

"Ma'am? Uh... I do know how to contact Thulia. In fact, I've been in contact with her since I was rescued." Well, that provided the level of consternation I'd been expecting. Grimes just looked at me, then turned to face Mrs. Horton, who was just sitting there with a half-smile. She examined the older woman for a moment, then gave a resigned sigh. "OK, Bella, just what haven't you told me this time?"

Hehehe, this is why Mrs. Horton is my favorite house parent, she knows when to trust her charges and their secrets.

Aww, I wish I could have read the conversation between Ms. Grimes and Mrs. Horton, that would have been fun.

Bwahaha, Bianca almost blushing thinking she is in trouble due to Morgana chatting with Thulia, silly girl. A lockbox in one of the cupboards, nice hiding spot.

"Now I need to ask you a favour, Bianca. Please don't talk about any of this until Morgana returns, it's all rather complicated and this place is enough of a hotbed of speculation without adding to it, don't you think?" She knew she'd got it right when the girl looked offended at the idea she'd talk, before she smiled once more. "Now I'll leave you to your book."

I don't Poe is the only cottage full of gossip about one thing or another, though it might have the highest of them. And thinking about getting the whole story out of Morgana, with thumbnails if need be, Bianca, you silly goof.

Darn, going to have to chat with Ms. Grimes about the bowl and stuff a lot more later. Things to make it easier for them all to see and hear Thulia, interesting. Now that is a mage's workroom. Ooo, that mirror sounds cool. And able to see Thulia in the mirror, now that is a great modification. *eyes go wide with wonder* Whoa, a real magic mirror.

She frowned, giving me a surprisingly piercing look that reminded me of Grimes for a moment before her eyes flicked around the other spectators. "Perhaps you should introduce me to your friends, and then tell me exactly what's been going on."

Uh oh, girlfriend is upset at Morgana for not being kept in the loop.

"You were right to contact me, from what you've said there is something very wrong. I tested Morgana in considerable depth before I was forced to leave her, and there was nothing in my results to indicate this sort of problem. While I expected her to take some time to integrate and learn to use her power, that should have gone smoothly, and the exercises you described should indeed have helped that process. From what you've shown me, I agree with you that the only logical explanation is that there is something affecting Morgana that shouldn't be present."

And not something even Thulia detected in her testing, this is more serious than expected. Has to examine Morgana in her workroom, this will...interesting to see. Grimes really doesn't trust demons or anything demon-like, despite Thulia assuring her Morgana would be safe with her.

"The thing is, if Thulia wanted to harm or control me, she could, She has my true name, blood, and other samples, and unless I spend the rest of my life locked in a warded room, she can get at me. That isn't a life, and rather than do that, I trust her not to abuse me." I took a deep breath before continuing, this was going to be hard."But the main reason is her. When I was captured, I was held prisoner, tortured mentally and physically. I was treated by the cult and their minions like an animal - no, worse, as an object." I looked over at Thulia and smiled. "The only one who treated me like a person, who was kind to me, was Thulia. So yes, I trust her now, with my life."

Now that make her cry happy tears. Bwahaha, actually made Thulia blush, so cute. And Caitlin is coming along, all good now.

At the Crystal Hall at lunchtime, Tanya concerned Morgana is still a no-show.

She didn't mention the fact that she'd been pretty certain Morgana was keeping quiet about something, and that 'a bit stressed' was rather like suggesting that the Atlantic Ocean was a trifle damp.

Bianca has gotten great at understating things when needed. Hikaru is so Blaise about people having burnouts. *sigh* Even though she was told her PFG didn't cause the burnout Laura still thinks it might have. Renewing the wards for Erica and Cally, hope nothing weird happens there, enough going on already.

Afternoon and back at the Magic Department, having to go down a few levels to open a portal to Thulia's place.

I was beginning to realise that while the Magic department didn't spread out as far over the subterranean part of the campus as the Devisors did, they seemed to compensate by going deep. The weirdest thing was the final stretch of the corridor which lead to a rather formidable, and obviously locked, door. The whole space felt odd, and things like the angles of the walls and ceiling seemed to fit an Esher drawing rather than a simple corridor.

Now there is a magic corridor, love seeing things like this. And the room to open the portal in, this is how you make things feel truly magical, the sense of awe and wonder of it.

While Grimes had been adding more symbols in some of the bare spots, Mrs. Horton had quietly explained what it was; this was one of the portals they used regularly, and while a lot of the spellcraft was permanent, the part related to the destination and a few other things weren't, and that was what Grimes was completing right now.

Now, this is the set-up of professionals, impressive.

Blood on seven spots to open the portal but keep it anonymous for Thulia, plus powering it up afterward, never can be too cautious. A dark purple crystal wand used by Grimes, wonder what it is made of.

What wasn't an illusion was the way the centre was not only glowing but seemed to be moving backward, even though nothing was actually moving.

Well, you are warping space to open this portal, bound to cause something like this. Thulia coming through the portal in that robe, Morgana is lucky she didn't get a classic anime nosebleed.

"Ah, my apologies. Mistress Grimes, then?" Her innocent-sounding statement was followed by a quite obvious *snerk* from Caitlin before Grimes gave her companion a withering look. Not that that discommoded Caitlin in the slightest.

Yeah, I would be Caitlin in this situation, barely holding back laughing.

And Thulia knows that Caitlin is an Artificer, never expected to see one on Earth as she thought they all vanished from there, interesting. Aww, poor Thulia, no time to admire an Artificer due to the work needing to be done.

And portal to Thulia's workroom and welcome back from Bruce, been a long time since we saw him. And naked for the scans, at least Morgana is comfortable with everyone there. Well, that didn't take long it seems, wonder what comparing the previous scans with the new ones will show. Oh boy, Thulia hiding her feelings from Morgana, I would worry as well. An hour or two to get results, so go back through the portal and wait. Aww, back to Whateley without even a hug from Thulia.

And she lied, it would only take a few minutes. A parasite, a psychofágos, a hellspawned soul eater, this is the worst case possible.

"A powerful one, I don't know how she's still alive. Those bastards must have put it in her after I left."

Okay, the cult needs to be hunted down and exterminated post-haste. Oh crap, a bomb when it goes off and sounds like it could take out Whateley even. Ooo, bringing in her Grandmother for this, it is even worse than the worst case possible.

Tanau wearing that dress, don't bring her to Whateley or you might have a riot of horny teens on your hands.

Tanau's raised her eyebrows. "And she's still alive? I think you'd better tell me all you know, a psychofágos is not something to meddle with casually, especially if it has had time to establish itself in its victim."

Crud, just how can they remove it without harming Morgana or setting it off?

Tanau gazing at Thulia and Thulia blushing again, she can't help blushing when thinking about her beloved.

"Oh yes, it's possible. It's not easy by any means, and it will need all her strength and willpower, as well as all the help you can give her, but it can be done."

Morgana has strength and willpower in spades to the point I think they are unnoted powers for her sometimes. A day to prepare and need Morgana's teachers as well, oh boy. Thulia's enthusiasm won't be misplaced, Morgana will survive this, she is too stubborn not to.

And now the hard part, telling Morgana what was done to her by the cult.

"Let me explain. A psychofágos is commonly termed a soul-eater, it's a nasty little piece of hellspawn, and its purpose is to drain power from its victim - hence the name - until they die. I assume they put it in Morgana in case they couldn't control her. It would have been fairly quiescent at first - until Morgana was freed, she was using very little magic, which is its preferential source of sustenance - but once she started to draw significantly on the Fire Plane energy, it would have siphoned off more and more of it."

And now we understand why Thulia and Tanau are shocked Morgana is still alive. *eyes bug out* This entity is a seriously nasty piece of work, the morons in the cult thinking to use it to control her were seriously arrogant.

A couple of weeks before it kills, that soon, dang it. 5 to 7 days before incurable damage is inflicted, yikes. 30 kilotons of energy unleashed, good lord. It would take out Whateley and the surrounding area for miles at least.

Caitlin can't design and make something in 5 days, that analogy is scary. Darn, Fey can't design a spell in time either. That speech by Thulia, I got goosebumps.

Thulia gave her a steely look. "As I said, I'm not an expert in hellspawn. I prefer to leave them to rot where they belong. However my grandmother is far more familiar with them, and she informs me a separation can be done. Of course" her expression was ruthless as she continued, "it will involve the destruction of the psychofágos, but that hardly worries me. Good riddance to it."

Oh boy, does this mean Morgana is going to get to meet Tanau?

"Morgana, Thulia is bound by certain constraints on what she can do on this plane. I assume she cannot do a service, no matter how well-intentioned, without asking for payment."

Yay! I was hoping she would ask for visitation rights with Morgana as payment. Mutually acceptable conditions for her visits wonder what those will be.

Judging by the different expressions I could see on the staff, I really wished I could hear the arguments, it looked like they would be well worth kibitzing. Which was probably why they wanted me outside, of course. So Thulia and I got up and went out to the small lobby outside the conference room.

Aww, I wanted to hear the arguing too.

Aww, Morgana worried they won't agree on acceptable terms.

"Screw the rules. There are always loopholes. And if there aren't, I'll make some."

Hehe, she would have fit in at Whateley well. Ah, guess they are worried about something like Sara's Pack happening again. 1 day every 2 weeks, aww, why not 1 day a week?

Second, we do have a problem with the use of demonic abilities at the school." She held up a hand as Thulia looked at her and raised one delicate flame-coloured eyebrow. "I'm using demon here as a generic term." Thulia's half-smile was her only response.

She gestured at Caitlin, who was sitting there with a shit-eating grin on her face. "Our Artificer has agreed to fashion a pendant that will restrict you to the abilities of your human body so long as you are at the school.[/quote] Oh boy, with some of the students at Whateley I hope she has superhuman strength in her human body.

Thirdly, we insist that you only enter and leave via a specific summoning circle or portal here. So we can monitor your presence. We will amend it so you can only leave the circle while wearing the limiting pendant.

Fourth, while you are visiting, we need a way of making sure you are not too disruptive. With normal visitors, they are constrained in their actions by the fact their children are here. In your case that isn't the case, so we will ask you to swear, while on the school grounds, to follow the same rules that Morgana does as one of our students. While we cannot enforce these off the grounds, we would ask you to at least consider keeping them in order to protect Morgana and the other students we have here.

Finally, while I understand you have some familiarity with Earth, we would like to keep a closer eye on you at first. So initially, we will insist on a chaperone, for everyone's safety. Caitlin has agreed to do that role" - Grimes speech was interrupted for a second by a quite rude snort from said Caitlin - "but if things prove satisfactory, that condition will be withdrawn."

All very reasonable conditions, though I wish the visitations were more often.

Once per two weeks is less that I had hoped, but as Morgana does I too have studies and duties. So I can live with that. As to restricting my abilities", she gave Grimes a measuring look "this amulet will allow me the use of my physical powers, yes? After all, many of the students here are quite dangerous."

And that isn't including those in Hawthorne due to power control issues. A link to the Fire Plane, any student who messes with her will learn quickly not to play with fire. Only Morgana summoning her and with a member of staff there, a good safety precaution for Thulia.

Back at Thulia's workroom, Tanau worried that Thulia is risking her life to do this, but knows how stubborn her granddaughter is. Thulia's values of safe, eep. Asking Bruce to pull Thulia out if she is at risk, oh boy. Bruce would need sanctuary with Tanau if he did that, *sigh* I want to gut the cult members for causing this mess.

Back at Doyle and Morgana has to stay overnight, worried she could have another burnout without warning and wish to be prepared in case. I understand their reasoning, better safe than sorry. Good point, better bored in the hospital than the alternative. Ceri came to see Morgana, was wondering when the big sister would show up again. And Ms. Grimes told Ceri about everything that is happening, oh boy.

Talking about home and everything Morgana has missed, great that Morgana gets to chat with her sister again. Cornering the big sister about her new boyfriend, classic little sister behavior.

I pretended to look astonished. "Gee, did you finally build a mind-control widget then?"

She responded in an adult manner befitting a big sister, she gave me the finger. I just grinned. "So how did you meet him, you haven't really told me much about him?"

"Well, ironically, it was due to you."

AEGIS in London, one of the techs looking after the computer systems and databases, nice way to meet. Whoa, a part-time job at AEGIS in London, nice job. Chatting for over two hours and only notices after Dr. Tennant knocks and says it is time for Morgana's medication, time flies when you have fun, especially with family you love. Medication to put her to sleep, those are some potent pills.

Flying Blue Squirrel pub in the Village, Vanessa called to meet Ms. Grimes who is drinking gin, uh oh. Ah, taking over for Ms. Grimes' classes tomorrow and Tuesday, good friend. This mess all because of some power-hungry fools playing with powers beyond them.

Monday 17th October, afternoon, Magic Department

Yikes, I know those kinds of nightmares all too well, poor Morgana. Opening a new portal, no use of essence for Morgana, please let everything go well. Yikes, Morgana that wound up seems like on the verge of a panic attack imo. How Thulia defines dangerous, a wise move not asking Morgana, wise move.

Hate being at the mercy of events, hopefully soon Morgana can take control of her life again. Closing the portal behind them so nothing will bleed through, in worst case scenario. Please let this all work out.

Monday 17th October, somewhere other than Earth

Okay, how did they change the workroom that quickly, I bet the workshop kids at Whateley would pay to know. At least Caitlin is concerned about how Thulia has planned all this out, I sure am. Bruce is being a little too calm and casual about all this imo. An escape valve for the energy in case this goes wrong, please let it not be needed.

Thulia doesn't know what to say, okay, now everyone should be worried. Wait, what? How will Thulia not be with Morgana physically, do the circles block her from helping Morgana? A deeper connection with Morgana, just what is Thulia planning here? No time for a blood-bond, yikes.

"The simplest way is to give you what is commonly - and misleadingly - termed a demon mark. It... well, to put it in a simple way, it makes you my servant, and so I can provide you with power." Caitlin had half risen to her feet, obviously getting ready to interject, as she looked me full in the eyes. "But I don't want to give you one."

What Thulia says next, way to make Morgana blush.

"What I want is to exchange a link with you. We would both carry a mark of that bond, but it would be a bonding of equals, not a master-servant one."

Why do I have the feeling this is considered a very serious step in a relationship in the supernatural world.

Not marriage or even an engagement, aww rats. Equate to a promise ring, do it!

"Thulia, I would be happy to exchange such a promise with you, if you will accept it." Then I leaned forward, whispering and hoping our two kibitzers wouldn't hear. "And not just because of any help it might allow you to give me."

Woohoo! They are so cute together.

Thulia standing gracefully, if Morgana did that I think more than a few boys and girls would have their eyes on her. Get naked for the ritual, Thulia actually blushes, priceless. Hehe, Morgana getting a good look at Thulia, normal teen. Interesting tattoos which Thulia has. With how Thulia is acting towards Morgana I very highly doubt she could lie to her right now.

"Yeah. But sometimes you just have to trust someone."

I wasn't sure what the look on her face meant, I'd obviously triggered some sort of memory or something. She finally patted me on the shoulder. "Go on then. But don't say afterward I didn't warn you."

I wonder which memory Caitlin recalled there. That conversation between Caitlin and Bruce, too perfect. And of course, you cheat when dealing with a true demon if they don't play fair, that should be common sense for anyone dealing with the supernatural.

Spell written on parchment, now that is old school and awesome. Impressive athame Thulia has, very curious what the glistening black material is. A long, thin chain which seems to be made of gold, is that orichalcum? An inch across mark on the shoulder-blade even uncovered only a few who notice something that size. Cut in the palm and then metal rubbing into it, ouch!

Well, that is a very interesting way to mark someone, thought it would involve more blood or pain though. Hehe, trying to look over your shoulder to see something on it, I've tried that myself. Identical mark, knew Thulia wouldn't lie to Morgana. And a nice bit of healing by Thulia, glad it got Morgana interested in learning healing magic, MMM needs a healer.

Metal bracers for each wrist, why didn't Thulia explain what they are for? Obsidian surface for the floor, very nice.

"Now, I have to allow both you and the essence of the psychofágos to leave you. It's necessary to have you fight it, it's the only way to be completely rid of it, and if you were to do that actually in your body you wouldn't survive. Once you are both outside of your body, the demon may attempt to fight immediately, or it may attempt to trick or trap you with various visions or illusions. I can't say what, so you need to remember what the final outcome needs to be, which is you fighting - and beating - the psychofágos. Is that all clear?"

When they said this demon would fight dirty they weren't kidding, that is some nasty business. And mixing thought, reality, and illusion, yikes, Morgana is in for a very tough fight.

Thulia might need a sword, once more I can hope it is a case of having it and not needing it. Whoa, now that is a bastard sword to be intimidated by. You really know how to describe an impressive magical ritual being performed, the visual effects, the sensations which Morgana is experiencing. Astral projection and man is Morgana's cord different and cool from the usual astral thread depicted in stories.

Beneath me I could see, apparently extruding itself from my body, a thick mass of writhing tentacles, glowing a crepuscular greenish colour.

*eyes bug out* That description is like something from my childhood nightmares.

Whoa, Thulia just went up several levels of badass in my eyes, pulling the psychofágos from Morgana's body like that as it struggles.

Well, she had an answer for that too. Chanting in a voice that resembled the crackling of flames rather than the human tones Morgana was more familiar with, her free hand gestured, and her sword lept into her grasp. The golden runes etched into the dark surface were a study in brilliance, and the edges of the sword itself lit the room as they burned star bright. With another tearing snarl, she slashed it forward and through those stubbornly resistant tentacles, severing them as the creature howled in protest and shot up towards the ceiling.

I want a sword like that!

Is this landscape part of what exists beyond the portal Morgana and the demon got sucked through or is the psychofágos already messing with Morgana? Morgana feeling cold, uh oh.

No, it looked more like a narrow pyramid, or maybe a fat obelisk, I couldn't be certain. Still, nothing else suggested itself, so I shrugged unhappily and started to head for it. Maybe I'd find people there. Or even a fire, that would be good too.

This is either some very freaky place Morgana has been sent or illusions mixed with reality to lure her to the psychofágos. When you can't trust your own senses, trust your instincts.

No moon in this place with only the stars to see by, Morgana's vision must be very impressive. What the heck is that creature!?! Is it the psychofágos in disguise or some other threat in this place? Back to a large rock, good start, plus she seems to have her sense of humor intact with her thoughts about BMA. Very nice opening attack by Morgana, it isn't until you are in a dangerous fight you appreciate all the training the teachers give you.

Wounds it again and gets pinned against the rock, this fight turned quickly. Tears into it over and over again, but finally it bites Morgana, that is one brutal bite to leave her shoulder half-numb. Whoa, the old flame down the throat trick to kill it, Morgana is scary when backed into a corner.

Bulletproof yet the bite of this creature caused her to bleed a little, that puts it into perspective. 3 more appear and drive her towards the pyramid, why do I find that highly suspicious? No openings or doors guess it might not be a trap otherwise you would want to lure her inside into more confined spaces. Ice-covered sides and having to use her claws to climb it, okay, back thinking this is a trap.

Safe from the creatures on top of the structure.

It was only about 50 feet across, flat and covered in a sheen of ice crystals that sparkled like gems in the starlight. Under other circumstances, I'd have thought it a rather attractive look. But there was something half-visible under the frost in the centre, so I walked carefully over to it, before kneeling and brushing the frigid crystals away. Well, that wasn't what I'd expected - I'd half hoped for a door of some sort.

Part of a summoning ritual, one for evocation, who could have built this.

Starting to lose sensation and might freeze, this really is a hellscape. Casting in dragon form, please let this work okay for once. Oh crud, the lines and symbols glowing without her doing anything. The creatures, the cold, this structure, all seem like a trap Morgana was driven in to by the psychofágos.

sQjU5qVccFLd 'looked' at its victim as she stood in the circle. While it would have been useful if she had succumbed to its first testing, it was only a simple one, testing her fortitude.

I hate being right sometimes, so that is the psychofágos' name. All this just to test her, this creep needs to be taken down hard.

Morgana in a summoning triangle.

" Spawn of the outer darkness, bow to the Blood Witch, Mistress of Demons!"

Well, she took some ranks in overdramatic introductions. More of the psychofágos toying with her, torturing her now, foolish. Treating her like a demon, trying to make her think she is a demon, so now trying to break her psychologically. I've heard some bad wording for demonic contracts but this one seems very bad, too many loopholes. A collar to seal the agreement, that seems very bad for Morgana.

The wound on her shoulder has healed, Morgana, remember what Thulia told you the psychofágos would do to get at you!

That sort of interest wasn't just for a demon, was it? Oh hell no, she was old, she must have been over twice my age, no way did I want THAT sort of interest from a near-wrinkly like her!

Eww! At least Morgana has a robe now, even if it might not be real.

A production of telling Morgana what she is acquiring, oh brother, we have a ham. The Seal of Akkaba, current guardian of it Dr. Miracle, this is starting to sound like something out of a comic book. =-P

Traveling in a couple of vans, who does a robbery of a magical target like this? The psychofágos is showing little creativity outside its specialty. Wards took down like that, low security for a magical artifact, come on Morgana, see through this already. Half moon in the sky, few lights on in the mansion, Morgana not told the time. *facepalms* This group makes the Secret Squirrels look like elite operatives. Warded windows yet the Blood Witch didn't see the magic, so many little details adding up to something big.

Man-sized stone statues in the corner, yet nothing unusual to Morgana's sight. If they don't start moving at one point I will be shocked. Getting Morgana to open a hidden safe, why didn't she just hire a mutant with superstrength for this job, another hole in all this. Tough safe, but nothing a safecracker couldn't get through.

Dr. Miracle shows up and of course a fight breaks out. The Blood Witch the only one who gives him any trouble, so of course she orders Morgana to kill him.

Oh great, tell him exactly what I am, why don't you?

Oh crud, has Morgana thinking she is actually a demon, this is very bad. And Dr. Miracle animates the statues, Morgana tossing one into another yet this barely slows them down.

Dr. Miracle being overwhelmed by the Blood Witch, while Morgana having trouble dealing with the statues as they hit hard. Nice slicing them up though, starting to worry Morgana won't snap out of the psychofágos' tricks without Thulia intervening soon. Dr. Miracle bound and gagged, Blood Witch not worried about anyone else showing up, good grief.

The Seal of Akkaba in hand, minions escaping through the window, and Blood Witch set the place on fire to kill Dr. Miracle, please let Morgana see how wrong this all is. Morgana carries him outside and Blood Witch orders her to kill Dr. Miracle, this is a line she won't cross.

She screamed at me, spittle flying from her lips. "Do as I say, foul creature! I want him dead, to show people I am not to be trifled with!" Then she raised her staff, and my neck felt on fire as that damn collar fed what felt like bottled lightning through me. I screamed and fell to my knees, still watching her.

Overplayed your hand, never try to force someone to kill. Morgana free of the collar and of course Blood Witch runs away in fear of her. Oh good grief, the authorities arrive right after the real villain flees and threaten Morgana, too convenient to me.

No reading her rights, given orange clothing, and questioned, Morgana, it should be obvious this isn't real! Cuffed and chained to a steel table in a room, *hits head on table* 4 guys in suits like that with dark glasses, hi-tech toys like around the Whateley labs, plus pointing their weapons at her. They claimed to be from the MCO, I really wish all foreign students are shown what the American MCO is really like within the first week at Whateley. Trying to say she doesn't exist, now trying to break her and make her believe she is a demon again.

"I'm not interested in your explanation. Your appearance and lack of ID make it obvious, and while our normal remit is to take care of dangerous mutants, we do have training as to what to do in a case like yours."

A magic circle activated by a crystal, I don't think the MCO can do that. Morgana, remember what Thulia told you! And using Abraxus who is dead, starting to think the psychofágos can only draw things from Morgana's memory and imagination to use against her.

Is this all part of the psychofágos and the mission it was given by the cult? Using her worst fear, someone who tormented her and she saw killed, brought back to life to finish what he started. Morgana needs help now! Going for her throat with a knife, and I think the psychofágos just made its last mistake. Darn, he doesn't use it on her and has her taken away, come on, something has to happen before it is too late. Cursed cuffs like before, her worst nightmare coming to life, seeing Morgana like this hurts.

Tortured by shock batons once more, darn it! Ceri, Bianca, and Tanay cuffed, chained, naked, and gagged next to the creeps. No! Cutting her sister, then Tanya, and now Bianca, how he talks about her regeneration makes my skin crawl. Forcing Morgana to watch, ugh. Binding oaths to serve him or he kills her friends slowly, Thulia, act already!

Using Tanya and Bianca at least makes Morgana realize her time at Whateley wasn't a dream, big mistake on the psychofágos' part.

Then frowned - something about it was odd. I examined every inch of it, as carefully as possible. No, it was the same cell I'd been held in months ago. It took me a while before I suddenly realised what was odd. It wasn't just a cell, it was the cell - the one I'd been held in. But that was impossible. Manx had shown me pictures of how the base had looked after the AEGIS strike force had finished with it - she said seeing it destroyed would give me closure - and this cell had been smashed into rubble.

And the big chink in his plan is revealed, not knowing his target's history. And the flames of Morgana are unleashed once more! Breaking the illusion apart like pixels in a video game, nice imagery.

The psychofágos going to put her through another trial, stubborn cuss.

Bedlam Hospice for the Psychologically Disturbed, time unknown

Oh no, not this gag. This proves how uncreative the psychofágos is, using the old 'make them think all they experienced was in their mind and they're crazy' bit. Making him think he is still Rob, IV drip to sedate him when he freaks out, Dr. Smithson, I wonder if Rob/Morgana ever watched that episode of Buffy. Ah, trying to make him think it was all a coma dream.

And I guessed wrong again, trying to make him think the robbers used psychotropic gas and 'Rob' had a particularly bad reaction and hallucinations. Manipulating him into believing his true memories are false, now I want to see the psychofágos tortured someone before being destroyed. Betting those nightmares are his real memories trying to break through the lie.

No mirrors in the bathroom because some patients can get violent, nice excuse to hide the truth. Dr. Bellows, this seems like a big mistake, using someone from Whateley to try and convince her her time at Whateley never happened. Change his appearance, figures.

Arrgh! It's starting to work, except 'Rob' wants them to be real, good, keep fighting.

"It seems like you have some interesting issues - well, we all do - but you seem to have integrated yours into your coma memories. For example, this idea of mutant superheroes is straight out of some popular entertainment, as is the idea of a school for them. As for turning into a girl, well, you're a teenager." He raised a hand as I sat up, cutting off what I was going to say. "It doesn't mean you are gay, or transgendered. Just that at some point you've wondered what it would be like to be the opposite sex, and this has been made up as part of your fantasy memories."

This, to me, seems like a very bad move by the psychofágos, since mutants would be known even outside Whateley due to various incidents around the world. 'Rob's' own sister being a mutant for one thing.

In this place for what seems like days, trying to make 'him' think they are fake. Thulia, it is now or never! Of course the internet of this place would confirm everything they told 'Rob' is true, *sigh* At least 'Rob' still wants that other life to be real, still hope.

It seems 'Rob' is inside his own mind now, at least to me, the cavern the place where his true self has been imprisoned. And yup, her Morgana self bound by mithril chains melded into glassy pillars. Trying to call out to 'Rob' but muted, this is the worst kind of torture. Frustration and fear, for 'Rob', how can Morgana overcome this?

Waking up and 'Rob' realizes it wasn't like the other 'dreams' since waking up here, yet not how yet. Her eyes, making 'Rob' realize since waking here 'he' hasn't been able to look in a mirror and see. Yes! The pad turned off used as a mirror, that was a fatal mistake by the psychofágos. And once more Morgana breaks free from the trap, good to see.

Great, the psychofágos is going to destroy and consume her now and be done with it. Using an entity without patience for the job is a very bad idea.

Date <redacted>, Time <redacted>, Location <redacted with extreme prejudice>

The landscape was weird, it seemed to consist of a flat plane with outcroppings of what looked like large crystals in various colours scattered around, in fact, what I was lying on was hard crystal as well. The oddest thing was the sky itself, a twisting and formless mass of coruscating shades of red and blue that made me feel queasy after a minute of watching it.

I'm guessing this is what was really beyond that portal. Chaotic place, isn't it?

A bolt of forked lightning, I think even at Whateley that would get more than a double-take. The writhing mass of tentacles once more, bile-yellow tentacles, yuck. Sadistic pleasure at Morgana getting ready to face it in combat, this is the most twisted entity I've ever seen. Darn it! It can manipulate the energy and crystals of this place, forming a 5' tall fantasy imp to attack with, at least this seems easier than its psychological warfare. Scream and leap, like a crazed berserker. Darn it! The psychofágos can repair all damage to its creations here.

A war of attrition as Morgana keeps getting cut and bleeds some from each. Grabs the sucker from behind and channels fire into her hands until the heat and her strength destroy the crystal imp. Go Morgana! Charging the psychofágos with fire-charged hands, ignoring the energy blasts from it, pulled in by its tentacles and trying to overwhelm it with her fire, this doesn't look good.

"Ah, little human, You still haven't realised, have you? I lived in you, I know your power, that power runs through me. It doesn't matter how much of it you use - use all your power, I will always have that and more of mine, you can never win!"

So, don't try to brute force it.

Oops, wrong on my part again. Tapping into the demon mark for more power, the fire becoming blue-white, dang. *eyes bug out* Morgana's arms and hands starting to burn, that is a lot of power to do that. The psychofágos destroyed, Morgana's arms burned and she doesn't even wish to look at her hands, how bad is it? At least it is over now, so now Morgana can heal and recover.

Morgana in that bad of shape physically, Thulia telling her not to try and speak, just let her take care of her for now.

She winced inside as she saw the lines burnt into her arms and the charred and bleeding hands.

*winces* I knew it would be bad, but dang. Healing spells and pushing Morgana into sleep, I guess with such a demon involved they were expecting bad injuries.

Bruce shrugged. "We weren't sure just how bad, but yes. We already knew she was damaged by the psychofágos before she started, and the ritual was always going to cause more due to the effort involved. She was channelling too much energy through already-damaged parts of her. But it was the only way to drive the psychofágos out of her safely."

Caitlin is very protective of the students under her care, so the healing had better work.

Bruce actually having to get Thulia to stop her work healing Morgana as she has tapped herself out.

The once-flaming strands were now a pale ash-grey, and she looked at them for a moment before nodding.

Dang, sounds like she was putting her own energy which keeps her alive into healing Morgana. Morgana's natural healing will finish the job, good, because we just saw the surface damage. What it did to her internally I don't even want to think about.

Okay, confirmation by Thulia that the psychofágos is completely gone from Morgana, hooray! Caitlin really wants to get back to Whateley with Morgana, guess you can't get over the image of corrupting demons you grew up with.

Copy of Morgana's data for the people back at Whateley wonder if this will give them any new insights on her. Ceridwen on her feet once she sees Morgana unconscious, good big sister. Morgana took to Doyle by Caitlin with Ceri going along to keep an eye on her sister, Grimes having a chat with Thulia, why do I think it will be about more than what she did to save Morgana's life?

Mrs. Horton can tell how much all this took out of Thulia, exchange of information and Thulia wishes to stay with Morgana until she wakes up, awww. I think Mrs. Horton knows what Morgana means to Thulia, she is a romantic at heart from what I've seen.

Monday 17th October, evening, Doyle Medical Centre.

Ceri excited Morgana is awake but keeps her quiet as she shows that Thulia is asleep in another chair, so sweet. Knowing you are going to live after being given basically a death sentence, man, Morgana is going to need a lot more counseling for a while.

I smiled. "Yeah. Grimes is like that, she's only fierce when she has a reason, I think."

Morgana has already figured out Ms. Grimes. Morgana in that much pain yet pulls Thulia into a hug, daw, so sweet. And that kiss, Ceri is a good big sister to leave them alone. Aww, kiss goodbye as Thulia is keeping her promise and showing Grimes she can be trusted, at least she can come back to visit.

Dr. Tennant smiling at Morgana, the first time in Doyle where she wasn't in very bad shape when she arrived.

Thulia made a small gesture to the Doctor - I assumed some sort of ritual thing, it wasn't magic. "Thank you, Doctor. I'm sure you will manage everything." She gave me a quick glance before finishing off. "Better you than, me, she was a terrible patient when I was looking after her!"

"HEY! I was not....!"

Bwahaha, Thulia just loves to tease her girlfriend.

A wonderful story from start to finish. From the fallout with Jack and his thugs plan outing Cally, Morgana being so cheerful in the morning and the reason why, the warding of Cally and Erica's dorm room needed due to the fallout, the increasing issues with Morgana's essence control. How Mrs. Horton tried to get Tia back into Poe and how this leads to the hearing before Mazarin. So many things happened over this story, but finding out about how the cult put the psychofágos into Morgana as a means to control her or failing that kill her. I hope the remains of that cult are hunted down soon.

This last part hurt to watch Morgana go through all that, the psychofágos putting her through these trials to try and break her over and over again. I just wished I could reach out and tell Morgana what was going on each time she was placed in a new trial. But when she finally took that demon down it was so satisfying, to see Morgana with the aid of Thulia overcome this threat so completely. And that last part with Thulia was so sweet, anyone who questions Thulia's love for Morgana is blinded by prejudice after all this. I can't wait to read more of Morgana's continuing adventures alongside her friends and see more of Thulia as well.